Scap Stabilizer

ABSTRACT

A shoulder and rotator cuff exercise device that includes: a circular tube; a plurality of weighted balls within the tube; a hand bar with a hand grip, where the hand bar extends across the inner diameter of the tube, said hand bar including two sliding end points; and movement control mechanisms which engage the two sliding end points and limit the radial movement of the sliding end points. The shoulder and rotator cuff exercise device also may include an opening on the inner diameter of the circular tube, where the opening allows the insertion of weighted balls into the tube. In one particular embodiment, the circular tube may include handgrips on an outer surface of the tube. The plurality of weighted balls used with the device may vary in weight and thus the composite weight of the plurality of weighted balls may vary as desired by the user.

CROSS REFERENCE TO OTHER APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/444,209 filed on Feb. 18, 2011.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to the weight-training device that is used to stabilize shoulder muscles, ligaments and rotator cuff.

2. Description of Related Art

Many athletes engage in weight training activity to strengthen and rehabilitate their skeletal muscles by using various weight training exercises and equipment. Typical equipment includes barbells, dumbbells, specialized weight training machines that target specific muscle groups and various types of movements. Weight training is used in both preparation for performance and rehabilitating injuries that may have occurred to an individual.

One particular area of common injury involves the shoulder joint and ligaments associated with the shoulder. Many sports engage use of the shoulder for throwing objects such as a ball or for swinging a bat, club or stick at while engaging in a sport. Consequently, many individuals must strengthen the shoulder, rotator cuff and associated ligaments. Occasionally, it is difficult to pinpoint or localize exercises to strengthen the rotator cuff that is associated with the shoulder. One particular shoulder exercise device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,498,223. It discusses a shoulder exerciser that allows the user to exercise a shoulder using a hand piece, which is moveable on a surface such as a floor or a door against a variable of resistance. Another exercise device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,709,637 which discusses a portable exercise device for specific strength training of the rotator cuff that includes a cylindrical spool member with a hand grip across the diameter. Although some devices have been developed to address shoulder and rotator cuff strengthening and rehabilitation further development is necessary to address the issues associated with this particular body part.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a shoulder and rotator cuff exercise device comprising: a circular tube; a plurality of weighted balls within the tube; a hand bar with a hand grip, where the hand bar extends across the inner diameter of the tube, said hand bar including two sliding end points; and movement control mechanisms which engage the two sliding end points and limit the radial movement of the sliding end points. The shoulder and rotator cuff exercise device also includes an opening on the inner diameter of the circular tube, where the opening allows the insertion of weighted balls into the tube. In one particular embodiment, the circular tube may include handgrips on an outer surface of the tube. The plurality of weighted balls used with the device may vary in weight and thus the composite weight of the plurality of weighted balls may vary as desired by the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a shoulder stabilizing exercise device according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a shoulder stabilizer exercise device that helps to increase strength and rehab the rotator cuff when used as instructed. The present invention includes a handgrip that is placed on the inner diameter of a circular tube. The handgrip is rotated while weighted balls within the inside of the tube freely move along the circumference of the tubing in order to transfer weight as the user rotates the grip. Use of the weighted device according to the present invention helps to improve rotator cuff strength and shoulder stability. Also using this device according the present invention may enhance overall grip strength. The actual weight that is used within the device may be varied due to the ability to put a various amount of weighted balls within the tubing, which transfer across the circumference of the tubing.

In reference to FIG. 1, a Shoulder Stabilizing Device 100 is depicted. The Shoulder Stabilizing Device 100 includes a Hollow Tubing 27 that enables the placement and movement of Weighted Balls 15 over the circumference of the tubing. A number of balls may be inserted into the tubing as desired by the user of the Shoulder Stabilizer Device 100. Within the inner diameter of the Tubing 27 is a Hand Bar 14. The Hand Bar 14 extends across the inner diameter and includes Sliding End Points 20 a, 20 b at each end of the Hand Bar 14. The Sliding End Points 20 a, 20 b move within a slot provided in the Movement Control Mechanism 22 a, 22 b which engages the End Points 20 a, 20 b respectively as shown in FIG. 1. The slot controls the radial movement of the Sliding End Points 20 a, 20 b. A Handgrip 12 is provided at the center of the Hand Bar 14. A user grabs the Hand Bar 14 at the Handgrip 12 and therefore rotates the Stabilizing Device 100 in a circular movement to engage the rotator cuff and shoulder muscles. A hole is provided, not shown, on inner diameter of the Tubing 27 that allows for the insertion of the Weighted Balls 15 within the tubing. Additional Handgrips 24 a, 24 b are provided on the outer surface of the Tubing 27. These outer Handgrips 24 a, 24 b allow an individual to use two hands to perform various exercises with the Shoulder Stabilizing Device 100.

The moving Hand Bar 14 is limited in Movement Control Mechanism 22 a, 22 b. The Hand Bar 14 rotates within this particular radial plane so that the user may alternate rotational movement of the Shoulder Stabilizer Device 100 during use. The Shoulder Stabilizing Device according to the present invention therefore provides a smooth movement of the muscles and ligaments related to the rotator cuff and helps to strengthen principally the shoulder areas but also the forearms, triceps, biceps and wrists of a user. This device allows unique isolation of these muscles and ligaments and is be very conducive for individuals that engage in sports such as baseball, football, tennis or other sports that involve significant wear and tear on the shoulder and rotator cuff areas. The instant invention has been shown and described in what it considers to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made there from within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. 

1. A shoulder and rotator cuff exercise device comprising: a. a circular tube; b. a plurality of weighted balls within the tube; c. a hand bar with a hand grip, where the hand bar extends across the inner diameter of the tube, said hand bar including two sliding end points; and d. movement control mechanisms which engage the two sliding end points and limit the radial movement of the sliding end points.
 2. The shoulder and rotator cuff exercise device according to claim 1, further comprising an opening on the inner diameter of the circular tube, where the opening allows the insertion of weighted balls into the tube.
 3. The shoulder and rotator cuff exercise device according to claim 1, where the circular tube include handgrips on an outer surface of the tube.
 4. The shoulder and rotator cuff exercise device according to claim 1, where the plurality of weighted balls vary in weight.
 5. The shoulder and rotator cuff exercise device according to claim 1, where the composite weight of the plurality of weighted balls varies.
 6. A method of exercising shoulder and rotator cuff comprising the steps of: a. gripping a hand grip of a circular exercise device, where the hand grip comprises a portion of a hand bar that extends across a diameter of the circular exercise device; b. inserting weighted balls into an interior chamber of the circular exercise device; c. rotating the circular exercise device in alternating circular movement; and d. continuing the alternating circular movement for a period of time or a number of repetitions. 